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Chien HT, Roos P, Russel FGM, Theunissen PT, van Meer PJK. The use of weight-of-evidence approaches to characterize developmental toxicity risk for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in humans without in vivo studies. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 152:105682. [PMID: 39094967 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2024.105682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory guidance for global drug development relies on animal studies to evaluate safety risks for humans, including risk of reproductive toxicity. Weight-of-evidence approaches (WoE) are increasingly becoming acceptable to evaluate risk. A WoE for developmental risk of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was evaluated for its ability to retrospectively characterize risk and to determine the need for further in vivo testing based on the remaining uncertainty. Reproductive toxicity studies of 65 mAbs were reviewed and compared to the WoE. Developmental toxicities were absent in 52/65 (80%) mAbs. Lack of toxicity was correctly predicted in 29/52 (56%) cases. False positive and equivocal predictions were made in 9/52 (17%) and 14/52 (27%) cases. For 3/65 (5%) mAbs, the findings were equivocal. Of mAbs with developmental toxicity findings (10/65, 15%), the WoE correctly anticipated pharmacology based reproductive toxicity without any false negative predictions in 9/10 (90%) cases, and in the remaining case (1/10, 10%) an in vivo study was recommended due to equivocal WoE outcome. Therefore, this WoE approach could characterize presence and absence of developmental risk without animal studies. The current WoE could have reduced the need for developmental toxicity studies by 42% without loss of important patient information in the label.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Tzu Chien
- Medicines Evaluation Board, the Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Puck Roos
- Medicines Evaluation Board, the Netherlands
| | | | - Peter T Theunissen
- Medicines Evaluation Board, the Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J K van Meer
- Medicines Evaluation Board, the Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Santini L, Duranti C, Palandri C, Giammarino L, Musumeci M, Carlucci L, Capitani C, Colasurdo R, Recchia F, Cerbai E, Coppini R, Arcangeli A. Cardiac safety assessment of a novel recombinant bispecific antibody targeting the ether-à-go-go related gene 1 (hERG1)-β1 integrin macromolecular complex. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1237431. [PMID: 37767396 PMCID: PMC10520717 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1237431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: In the last decades, mounting evidence has pointed out the human ether-á-go-go-related gene (hERG1) potassium channel as a novel biomarker in human cancers. However, hERG1 sustains the cardiac repolarizing current IKr and its blockade can induce a prolonged QT interval at the ECG, which increases the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. This represents a major hindrance for targeting hERG1 for antineoplastic therapeutic purposes. Based on our discovery that hERG1 resides in a macromolecular complex with the β1 subunit of integrin adhesion receptors only in tumors, and not in the heart, we generated (and patented WO2019/015936) a novel engineered, single chain, bispecific antibody in the format of a diabody (scDb-hERG1-β1). This antibody has been proven to target with high affinity the hERG1/β1 integrin complex and to exert a good antineoplastic activity in preclinical mouse models. Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the cardiac safety of the scDb-hERG1-β1, determining the action potential duration (APD) of human cardiomyocytes, either atrial (from valve-disease patients) or ventricular (from aortic stenosis patients). Cardiac cells were incubated in vitro with i) the scDb-hERG1-β1, ii) the full length anti-hERG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb-hERG1) and iii) its single chain Fragment variable derivative (scFv-hERG1), from which the scDb-hERG1-β1 was assembled. All the tests were performed before and after treatment with the specific hERG1 blocker E4031. In addition, we have performed preliminary experiments, analyzing the effects of the scDb-hERG1/β1 in vivo measuring the QT interval length of the surface ECG after its injection intravenously in farm-pigs. Results: The scDb-hERG1-β1 did not produce any lengthening of APD compared to control (vehicle) conditions, either in atrial or ventricular cardiomyocytes, whereas both the hERG1-mAb and the scFv-hERG1 produced a significant APD prolongation. The addition of E4031 further prolonged APD. The scDb-hERG1-β1 did not produce any alterations of the QT (and QTc) interval values, once injected intravenously in farm pigs. Discussion: Overall, the above evidences plead for the cardiac safety of the scDb-hERG1-β1, suggesting that an application of this antibody for anti-cancer therapy will be untainted by cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Santini
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Duranti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Palandri
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Giammarino
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Musumeci
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucia Carlucci
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Capitani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Rossella Colasurdo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Recchia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cerbai
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Raffaele Coppini
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Annarosa Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Mecklenburg L, Lenz S, Hempel G. How important are concurrent vehicle control groups in (sub)chronic non-human primate toxicity studies conducted in pharmaceutical development? An opportunity to reduce animal numbers. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282404. [PMID: 37535533 PMCID: PMC10399820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Safety assessment of human pharmaceuticals demands extensive animal experiments before a compound can be tested in patients or released on the market. Such experiments typically include concurrent vehicle control groups. Reconsidering the need for concurrent controls could support the strive to reduce the use of animals for scientific purposes. We reviewed reports from 20 (sub)chronic toxicity studies that were conducted in non-human primates (NHP) to characterize hazards of novel human pharmaceuticals. Firstly, we determined the toxicological endpoints that were identified to characterize the hazard. Secondly, we evaluated if the hazard could have been identified without reference to the concurrent controls. Thirdly, we employed an alternative statistical method to test for any significant change related to dose level or time. We found that toxicologically relevant hazards were identifiable without reference to concurrent controls, because individual measurements could be compared with pre-dosing values or because individual measurements could be compared to historical reference data. Effects that could not be evaluated without reference to concurrent controls were clinical observations and organ weights for which appropriate historical reference data was not available, or immune responses that could not be compared to pre-dosing measurements because their magnitude would change over time. Our investigation indicates that concurrent control groups in (sub)chronic NHP toxicity studies are of limited relevance for reaching the study objective. Under certain conditions, regulatory (sub)chronic NHP toxicity studies represent a good starting point to implement virtual control groups rather than concurrent control groups in nonclinical safety testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Lenz
- Labcorp Early Development Services GmbH, Muenster, Germany
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Westphalian Wilhelms University, Muenster, Germany
| | - Georg Hempel
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Westphalian Wilhelms University, Muenster, Germany
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4
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Chien HT, Prior H, Andrews L, van Aerts L, Cauvin A, Clarke DO, Datta K, Dempster M, Dybdal N, Freebern W, de Haan L, Herzyk D, Hey A, Kissner T, Kronenberg S, Leach MW, Lee D, Schutte K, Sewell F, Trouba K, Ulrich P, Weir L, van Meer P. Re-evaluating the need for chronic toxicity studies with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, using a weight of evidence approach. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 138:105329. [PMID: 36592682 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2022.105329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
To support registration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for chronic indications, 6-month toxicity studies have historically been conducted. Experience with mAb development has shown a relatively benign and well-understood safety profile for this class, with most toxicity findings anticipated based on pharmacology. We evaluated whether a 6-month toxicity study is necessary to assess the long-term safety of mAbs. Data on First-in-Human (FIH)-enabling and chronic toxicity studies were shared for 142 mAbs submitted by 11 companies. Opportunities to further optimize study designs to reduce animal usage were identified. For 71% of mAbs, no toxicities or no new toxicities were noted in chronic studies compared to FIH-enabling study findings. New toxicities of potential concern for human safety or that changed trial design were identified in 13.5% of cases, with 7% being considered critical and 2% leading to program termination. An iterative, weight-of-evidence model which considers factors that influence the overall risk for a mAb to cause toxicity was developed. This model enables an evidence-based justification, suggesting when 3-month toxicity studies are likely sufficient to support late-stage clinical development and registration for some mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Tzu Chien
- Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Helen Prior
- National Centre for the Replacement Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Kaushik Datta
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Nonclinical Research and Development, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lolke de Haan
- ADC Therapeutics, I-HUB, Imperial College White City Campus, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sven Kronenberg
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Donna Lee
- Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Fiona Sewell
- National Centre for the Replacement Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK
| | | | - Peter Ulrich
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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5
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Prior H, Andrews L, Cauvin A, Chien H, Clarke DO, Datta K, Dempster M, Dybdal N, Freebern W, de Haan L, Herzyk D, Hey A, Kissner T, Kronenberg S, Leach MW, Lee D, Reid K, Schutte K, Sewell F, Trouba K, Ulrich P, van Aerts L, van Meer P, Weir L. The use of recovery animals in nonclinical safety assessment studies with monoclonal antibodies: further 3Rs opportunities remain. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 138:105339. [PMID: 36649820 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of reversibility from nonclinical toxicity findings in animals with potential adverse clinical impact is required during pharmaceutical development, but there is flexibility around how and when this is performed and if recovery animals are necessary. For monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and in accordance with ICH S6(R1) if inclusion of recovery animals is warranted, this need only occur in one study. Data on study designs for first-in-human (FIH)-enabling and later-development toxicity studies were shared from a recent collaboration between the NC3Rs, EPAA, Netherlands Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) and 14 pharmaceutical companies. This enabled a review of practices on recovery animal use during mAb development and identification of opportunities to reduce research animal use. Recovery animals were included in 68% of FIH-enabling and 69% of later-development studies, often in multiple studies in the same program. Recovery groups were commonly in control plus one test article-dosed group or in all dose groups (45% of studies, each design). Based on the shared data review and conclusions, limiting inclusion of recovery to a single nonclinical toxicology study and species, study design optimisation and use of existing knowledge instead of additional recovery groups provide opportunities to further reduce animal use within mAb development programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Prior
- National Centre for the Replacement Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | - Kaushik Datta
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Nonclinical Research and Development, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lolke de Haan
- ADC Therapeutics, I-HUB, Imperial College White City Campus, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sven Kronenberg
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Donna Lee
- Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kirsty Reid
- European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Fiona Sewell
- National Centre for the Replacement Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK
| | | | - Peter Ulrich
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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6
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Ahuja V, Krishnappa M. Challenges in setting Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) Limits for pharmaceuticals: A review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RISK & SAFETY IN MEDICINE 2021; 33:49-64. [PMID: 34924402 DOI: 10.3233/jrs-210021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When more than one drug is manufactured at a shared facility or equipment in pharmaceutical manufacturing, the potential carry-over of the retained residue of existing drug product on product contact parts of the equipment to the next product can be a source of cross contamination. Permitted daily exposure (PDE) is derived based on the complete nonclinical and clinical data available and is a dose that is unlikely to cause adverse effects if an individual is exposed, by any route, at or below this dose every day over a lifetime. OBJECTIVE The objective was to present a comprehensive review of available scientific knowledge for derivation of PDE. METHODS PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched using keywords "PDE" and "pharmaceuticals" and all the relevant literature up to March 2021 was reviewed. We have also calculated PDEs for Tobramycin (CAS No. 32986-56-4) and Acetyl Salicylic Acid (ASA, CAS No. 50-78-2). RESULTS This research will be useful for scientists working in the PDE domain. The given examples emphasize the importance of use of human data in calculating PDE. CONCLUSION The duty of the risk assessor entrusted with setting PDEs is to derive a data driven, scientifically justified value that is safe for patients, while avoiding unjustified conservativeness that puts unnecessary burden on manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Ahuja
- Safety Assessment, Syngene International Limited, Biocon Park, Bangalore, India
| | - Mohan Krishnappa
- Safety Assessment, Syngene International Limited, Biocon Park, Bangalore, India
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7
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Saunders MD. A Review of the Main Considerations for Formulation Development in Preclinical Toxicology Studies. Int J Toxicol 2021; 40:551-556. [PMID: 34517751 DOI: 10.1177/10915818211043756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The main considerations for the development of a formulation for preclinical safety assessment testing are explored. Intravenous, inhalation, oral and dermal dosing are given focus and although different dose routes do present their own individual challenges there are common themes that emerge. In each case it is necessary to maximise exposure to achieve high doses to satisfy regulatory requirements for safety assessment testing. This often involves producing formulations that are at the limits of solubility and maximum volumes possible for administration to different test species by the chosen route. It is concluded that for all routes it is important to thoroughly explore the stability of the test item in the proposed formulation matrix well ahead of dosing any animals, giving careful consideration to which excipients are used and what their underlying toxicity profile may be for the relevant preclinical species. In addition, determining the maximum achievable concentrations and weighing that against the maximum volumes that can be given by the chosen route in all the test species at an early stage will also give a read on whether it would be theoretically possible to achieve suitably high enough doses to support clinical work. Not doing so can cause delays in the development programme and may have ethical repercussions.
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8
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Wolfreys A, Kilgour J, Allen AD, Dudal S, Freke M, Jones D, Karantabias G, Krantz C, Moore S, Mukaratirwa S, Price M, Tepper J, Cauvin A, Manetz S, Robinson I. Review of the Technical, Toxicological, and PKPD Considerations for Conducting Inhalation Toxicity Studies on Biologic Pharmaceuticals-The Outcome of a Cross-Industry Working Group Survey. Toxicol Pathol 2021; 49:261-285. [PMID: 33535023 DOI: 10.1177/0192623321988841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The inhaled route is still a relatively novel route for delivering biologics and poses additional challenges to those encountered with inhaled small molecules, further complicating the design and interpretation of toxicology studies. A working group formed to summarize the current knowledge of inhaled biologics across industry and to analyze data collated from an anonymized cross-industry survey comprising 12 inhaled biologic case studies (18 individual inhalation toxicity studies on monoclonal antibodies, fragment antibodies, domain antibodies, oligonucleotides, and proteins/peptides). The output of this working group provides valuable insights into the issues faced when conducting toxicology studies with inhaled biologics, including common technical considerations on aerosol generation, use of young and sexually mature nonhuman primates, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling, exposure and immunogenicity assessment, maximum dose setting, and no observed adverse effect levels determination. Although the current data set is too small to allow firm conclusions, testing of novel biologics remains an active area and is likely to remain so for molecules where delivery via the inhaled route is beneficial. In the future, it is hoped others will continue to share their experiences and build on the conclusions of this review to further improve our understanding of these complex issues and, ultimately, facilitate the safe introduction of inhaled biologics into clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jo Kilgour
- 273049Regulatory Science Associates, Inverkip, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Mark Freke
- Charles River Laboratories, Montreal, Canada
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9
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Prior H, Baldrick P, Beken S, Booler H, Bower N, Brooker P, Brown P, Burlinson B, Burns-Naas LA, Casey W, Chapman M, Clarke D, de Haan L, Doehr O, Downes N, Flaherty M, Gellatly N, Moesgaard SG, Harris J, Holbrook M, Hui J, Jones D, Jones K, Kedar H, Mahl A, Manninen A, McGuire A, Mortimer-Cassen E, Peraza M, Pugsley MK, Richard J, Roberts R, Roosen W, Rothfuss A, Schoenmakers A, Sewell F, Weaver R, Weir L, Wolfreys A, Kimber I. Opportunities for use of one species for longer-term toxicology testing during drug development: A cross-industry evaluation. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 113:104624. [PMID: 32126256 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
An international expert working group representing 37 organisations (pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies, contract research organisations, academic institutions and regulatory bodies) collaborated in a data sharing exercise to evaluate the utility of two species within regulatory general toxicology studies. Anonymised data on 172 drug candidates (92 small molecules, 46 monoclonal antibodies, 15 recombinant proteins, 13 synthetic peptides and 6 antibody-drug conjugates) were submitted by 18 organisations. The use of one or two species across molecule types, the frequency for reduction to a single species within the package of general toxicology studies, and a comparison of target organ toxicities identified in each species in both short and longer-term studies were determined. Reduction to a single species for longer-term toxicity studies, as used for the development of biologicals (ICHS6(R1) guideline) was only applied for 8/133 drug candidates, but might have been possible for more, regardless of drug modality, as similar target organ toxicity profiles were identified in the short-term studies. However, definition and harmonisation around the criteria for similarity of toxicity profiles is needed to enable wider consideration of these principles. Analysis of a more robust dataset would be required to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations for expansion of these principles to small molecules or other modalities where two species toxicity testing is currently recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Prior
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE, UK.
| | - Paul Baldrick
- Covance Laboratories Ltd, Otley Road, Harrogate, HG3 1PY, UK
| | - Sonja Beken
- Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Victor Hortaplace 40/40, Brussels, 1060, Belgium
| | - Helen Booler
- Genentech, Inc, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Nancy Bower
- Eisai Inc, 155 Tice Blvd, Woodcliff Lake, NJ, 07677, USA
| | - Paul Brooker
- Board member, NC3Rs, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Paul Brown
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | | | | | - Warren Casey
- National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Melissa Chapman
- Oncology Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences,R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Clarke
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Lolke de Haan
- Biologics and Advanced Therapeutics Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Olaf Doehr
- Bayer Pharma AG, Müllerstrasse 170, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Noel Downes
- Sequani Limited, Bromyard Rd, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1LH, UK
| | - Meghan Flaherty
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 300 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Nichola Gellatly
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE, UK
| | | | - Jennifer Harris
- Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT, UK
| | | | - Julia Hui
- Celgene, 86 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ, 07901, USA
| | - David Jones
- Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU, UK
| | | | | | - Andreas Mahl
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Aidan McGuire
- Charles River Laboratories, Preclinical Services, Tranent, Edinburgh, EH33 2NE, UK
| | - Elisabeth Mortimer-Cassen
- Regulatory Safety Centre of Excellence, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marjorie Peraza
- Pfizer Drug Safety Research and Development, 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | - Jacques Richard
- Sanofi, 371 Rue du Professeur Blayac, Montpellier, 34000, France
| | - Ruth Roberts
- ApconiX, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Wendy Roosen
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Andreas Rothfuss
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, CH - 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Fiona Sewell
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Richard Weaver
- Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier, Biopharmacy, 92284, Suresnes, Cedex, France
| | - Lucinda Weir
- GlaxoSmithKline, Park Road, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 0DP, UK
| | | | - Ian Kimber
- University of Manchester, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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10
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Baldrick P. Nonclinical Immunotoxicity Testing in the Pharmaceutical World: The Past, Present, and Future. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2019:2168479019864555. [PMID: 31409131 DOI: 10.1177/2168479019864555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
An examination for potential direct or indirect adverse effects on the immune system (immunotoxicity) is an established component of nonclinical testing to support safe use of new drugs. Testing recommendations occur in various regulatory guidance documents, especially ICH S8, and these will be presented. Key evaluation usually occurs in toxicology studies with further investigative work a consideration if a positive signal is seen. Expectations around whether findings may occur are related to the type of compound being developed, including a chemically synthesized small molecule, a small molecule oncology drug, a biopharmaceutical, an oligonucleotide, a gene therapy/stem cell product, a vaccine, or reformulation of drugs in liposomes or depots. Examples of immunotoxicity/immunogenicity findings will be discussed for all of these types of compound. Overall, it can be concluded that our main tool for evaluation of potential immunotoxicity/immunogenicity for a new drug still remains standard toxicology study testing with key assessment for effects on clinical pathology and lymphoid organs/tissues (weights and cellularity). Additional evaluation from studies using a T cell-dependent antibody response (TDAR) and lymphocyte phenotyping is also valuable, if needed. Thus, using the tools from the past, it is the role of toxicologists to work with clinical teams now and in the future, to interpret findings from nonclinical testing to possible adverse findings in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Baldrick
- 1 Covance Laboratories Ltd, England, United Kingdom
- 2 Lincoln School of Pharmacy, University of Lincoln, United Kingdom
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11
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Zeiadeh I, Najjar A, Karaman R. Strategies for Enhancing the Permeation of CNS-Active Drugs through the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Review. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23061289. [PMID: 29843371 PMCID: PMC6100436 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic and functional structure which poses a vast challenge in the development of drugs acting on the central nervous system (CNS). While most substances are denied BBB crossing, selective penetration of substances mainly occurs through diffusion, carrier mediated transport, or receptor mediated transcytosis. Methods: Strategies in enhancing BBB penetration have been reviewed and summarized in accordance with their type of formulation. Highlights in monoclonal antibodies, peptide-vectors, nanoparticles, and simple prodrugs were included. Conclusion: Nanoparticles and simple prodrugs, for example, can be used for efficient BBB penetration through inhibition of efflux mechanisms, however, monoclonal antibodies are the most promising strategy in BBB penetration. Close follow-up of future development in this area should confirm our expectation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isra' Zeiadeh
- Department of Bioorganic & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem P.O. Box 20002, Palestine.
| | - Anas Najjar
- Department of Bioorganic & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem P.O. Box 20002, Palestine.
| | - Rafik Karaman
- Department of Bioorganic & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem P.O. Box 20002, Palestine.
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Pardridge WM. Delivery of Biologics Across the Blood–Brain Barrier with Molecular Trojan Horse Technology. BioDrugs 2017; 31:503-519. [DOI: 10.1007/s40259-017-0248-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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13
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Prior H, Sewell F, Stewart J. Overview of 3Rs opportunities in drug discovery and development using non-human primates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ddmod.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Sewell F, Edwards J, Prior H, Robinson S. Opportunities to Apply the 3Rs in Safety Assessment Programs. ILAR J 2016; 57:234-245. [PMID: 28053076 PMCID: PMC5886346 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilw024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Before a potential new medicine can be administered to humans it is essential that its safety is adequately assessed. Safety assessment in animals forms an integral part of this process, from early drug discovery and initial candidate selection to the program of recommended regulatory tests in animals. The 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement of animals in research) are integrated in the current regulatory requirements and expectations and, in the EU, provide a legal and ethical framework for in vivo research to ensure the scientific objectives are met whilst minimizing animal use and maintaining high animal welfare standards. Though the regulations are designed to uncover potential risks, they are intended to be flexible, so that the most appropriate approach can be taken for an individual product. This article outlines current and future opportunities to apply the 3Rs in safety assessment programs for pharmaceuticals, and the potential (scientific, financial, and ethical) benefits to the industry, across the drug discovery and development process. For example, improvements to, or the development of, novel, early screens (e.g., in vitro, in silico, or nonmammalian screens) designed to identify compounds with undesirable characteristics earlier in development have the potential to reduce late-stage attrition by improving the selection of compounds that require regulatory testing in animals. Opportunities also exist within the current regulatory framework to simultaneously reduce and/or refine animal use and improve scientific outcomes through improvements to technical procedures and/or adjustments to study designs. It is important that approaches to safety assessment are continuously reviewed and challenged to ensure they are science-driven and predictive of relevant effects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Sewell
- Fiona Sewell, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Toxicology and Regulatory Sciences at the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK.Joanna Edwards, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Technology Development at the NC3Rs, London, UK.Helen Prior, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Drug Development at the NC3Rs, London, UK.Sally Robinson, PhD, is Head of Laboratory Animal Sciences at AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Joanna Edwards
- Fiona Sewell, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Toxicology and Regulatory Sciences at the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK.Joanna Edwards, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Technology Development at the NC3Rs, London, UK.Helen Prior, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Drug Development at the NC3Rs, London, UK.Sally Robinson, PhD, is Head of Laboratory Animal Sciences at AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Helen Prior
- Fiona Sewell, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Toxicology and Regulatory Sciences at the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK.Joanna Edwards, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Technology Development at the NC3Rs, London, UK.Helen Prior, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Drug Development at the NC3Rs, London, UK.Sally Robinson, PhD, is Head of Laboratory Animal Sciences at AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Sally Robinson
- Fiona Sewell, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Toxicology and Regulatory Sciences at the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), London, UK.Joanna Edwards, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Technology Development at the NC3Rs, London, UK.Helen Prior, PhD, is a Programme Manager in Drug Development at the NC3Rs, London, UK.Sally Robinson, PhD, is Head of Laboratory Animal Sciences at AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, UK
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Ye X, Qi J, Wu Q, Yu D, Li S, Wu Y, Li D. Long-lasting hypoglycemic effect of modified FGF-21 analog with polyethylene glycol in type 1 diabetic mice and its systematic toxicity. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 781:198-208. [PMID: 27089817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) is a novel metabolic regulator and has the potential to become a powerful therapy to treat diabetes mellitus. However, we found that the clinical application of wild type FGF-21 was influenced by its low intrinsic bio-stability and poor hypoglycemic potency. In this study, The N-terminus of FGF-21 analog (mFGF-21) was PEGylated in a site-specific manner by 20kD methoxy poly-ethylene glycol-propionaldehyde (mPEG-ALD). PEGylated mFGF-21 was isolated by Capto Q anion exchange chromatography. The properties of PEGylated mFGF-21 including the in vitro bio-stability and biological activity were evaluated. As well as the anti-diabetic effect of PEGylated mFGF-21 were studied in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic mice. Results demonstrated that PEGylated mFGF-21 had a similar capacity of stimulating glucose uptake in HepG2 cells with mFGF-21 and PEGylation of mFGF-21 significantly enhanced the anti-protease ability and the long acting anti-diabetic effect in type 1 diabetic mice. Furthermore, the preliminary safety of PEGylated mFGF-21 following subcutaneously injection was assessed using healthy mice by measuring the body weight, histopathology and clinical biochemical parameters, and the results showed no subacute toxicity to major organs or tissues and no significant changes in physiological and biochemical parameters in healthy mice. Taken together, under the premise of remaining the in vitro biological activity of mFGF-21, PEGylation significantly improves the long lasting hypoglycemic effect of mFGF-21 in type 1 diabetic mice. Our valuation shows that PEGylated mFGF-21 is a potential drug for the effective treatment of type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianlong Ye
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, No. 46 Construction Road, 453007 Xinxiang, Henan Province, China.
| | - Jianying Qi
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, No. 46 Construction Road, 453007 Xinxiang, Henan Province, China; Key Laboratory for Cell Differentiation Regulation, 453007 Xinxiang, Henan Province, China.
| | - Qiang Wu
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 59 Mucai Street, 150030 Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Dan Yu
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 59 Mucai Street, 150030 Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Shujie Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 59 Mucai Street, 150030 Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Yunzhou Wu
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 59 Mucai Street, 150030 Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Deshan Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 59 Mucai Street, 150030 Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
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van Aerts LAGJM, De Smet K, Reichmann G, van der Laan JW, Schneider CK. Biosimilars entering the clinic without animal studies. A paradigm shift in the European Union. MAbs 2015; 6:1155-62. [PMID: 25517301 PMCID: PMC4622966 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.29848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of biosimilars has spread from Europe to other regions throughout the world, and many regions have drafted regulatory guidelines for their development. Recently, a paradigm shift in regulatory thinking on the non-clinical development of biosimilars has emerged in Europe: In vivo testing should follow a step-wise approach rather than being performed by default. To not require animal testing at all in some instances can well be seen as a revolutionary, but science-based, step. Here, we describe the internal discussions that led to this paradigm shift. The mainstay for the establishment of biosimilarity is the pharmaceutical comparability based on extensive physicochemical and biological characterization. Pharmacodynamic comparability can be evaluated in in vitro assays, whereas pharmacokinetic comparability is best evaluated in clinical studies. It is considered highly unlikely that new safety issues would arise when comparability has been demonstrated based on physicochemical and in vitro comparative studies.
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17
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Niehoff MO, Niggemann B, Sternberg J, Jenkins A, Holbrook M. Measurement of hyper- and hypotension during repeated dose toxicity studies in either freely moving or physically restrained cynomolgus monkeys. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2014; 70:268-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
Biopharmaceuticals, produced by recombinant DNA technology, are generally more complicated to produce than small molecule drugs. As patents around the development and manufacturing of these biopharmaceuticals expire, biosimilars are being developed as comparable and more affordable alternatives to improve patient access and market competition. This commentary explains what a biosimilar is; it compares and contrasts biosimilar production with that of small molecule, generic, and other biological drugs; and it describes basic principles of the nonclinical development program for monoclonal antibody biosimilars.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Ryan
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
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19
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Sewell F, Chapman K, Baldrick P, Brewster D, Broadmeadow A, Brown P, Burns-Naas LA, Clarke J, Constan A, Couch J, Czupalla O, Danks A, DeGeorge J, de Haan L, Hettinger K, Hill M, Festag M, Jacobs A, Jacobson-Kram D, Kopytek S, Lorenz H, Moesgaard SG, Moore E, Pasanen M, Perry R, Ragan I, Robinson S, Schmitt PM, Short B, Lima BS, Smith D, Sparrow S, van Bekkum Y, Jones D. Recommendations from a global cross-company data sharing initiative on the incorporation of recovery phase animals in safety assessment studies to support first-in-human clinical trials. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2014; 70:413-29. [PMID: 25078890 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An international expert group which includes 30 organisations (pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations, academic institutions and regulatory bodies) has shared data on the use of recovery animals in the assessment of pharmaceutical safety for early development. These data have been used as an evidence-base to make recommendations on the inclusion of recovery animals in toxicology studies to achieve scientific objectives, while reducing animal use. Recovery animals are used in pharmaceutical development to provide information on the potential for a toxic effect to translate into long-term human risk. They are included on toxicology studies to assess whether effects observed during dosing persist or reverse once treatment ends. The group devised a questionnaire to collect information on the use of recovery animals in general regulatory toxicology studies to support first-in-human studies. Questions focused on study design, the rationale behind inclusion or exclusion and the impact this had on internal and regulatory decisions. Data on 137 compounds (including 53 biologicals and 78 small molecules) from 259 studies showed wide variation in where, when and why recovery animals were included. An analysis of individual study and programme design shows that there are opportunities to reduce the use of recovery animals without impacting drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Sewell
- UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
| | - Kathryn Chapman
- UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Paul Baldrick
- Covance Laboratories Ltd, Otley Road, Harrogate HG3 1PY, UK
| | - David Brewster
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., 50 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Paul Brown
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | | | | | - Alex Constan
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, 780 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jessica Couch
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Andy Danks
- Charles River Laboratories, Preclinical Services, Tranent, Edinburgh EH33 2NE, UK
| | - Joseph DeGeorge
- Merck, 770 Sumneytown Pike, Mailstop WP45-201, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | | | - Klaudia Hettinger
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Traisengasse 5, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marilyn Hill
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Festag
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, CH - 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Abby Jacobs
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - David Jacobson-Kram
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | | | - Helga Lorenz
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | | | - Emma Moore
- Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd, Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 4HS, UK
| | - Markku Pasanen
- University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rick Perry
- Pfizer Drug Safety Research and Development, 455 Eastern Point Rd., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Ian Ragan
- Board member, NC3Rs, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Sally Robinson
- AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Petra M Schmitt
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Agency for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany
| | - Brian Short
- Allergan, Drug Safety Evaluation, 2525 Dupont Dr, RD-2A, Irvine, CA 92612-1599, USA
| | | | - Diane Smith
- Millenium: The Takeda Oncology Company, 40 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sue Sparrow
- GlaxoSmithKline, Park Road, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 0DP, UK
| | - Yvette van Bekkum
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - David Jones
- Medicines Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), UK
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20
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Brennan FR, Cauvin A, Tibbitts J, Wolfreys A. Optimized nonclinical safety assessment strategies supporting clinical development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies targeting inflammatory diseases. Drug Dev Res 2014; 75:115-61. [PMID: 24782266 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of immunomodulatory monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and IgG Fc fusion proteins are either approved or in early-to-late stage clinical trials for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection. The exquisite specificity of mAbs, in combination with their multi-functional properties, high potency, long half-life (permitting intermittent dosing and prolonged pharamcological effects), and general lack of off-target toxicity makes them ideal therapeutics. Dosing with mAbs for these severe and debilitating but often non life-threatening diseases is usually prolonged, for several months or years, and not only affects adults, including sensitive populations such as woman of child-bearing potential (WoCBP) and the elderly, but also children. Immunosuppression is usually a therapeutic goal of these mAbs and when administered to patients whose treatment program often involves other immunosuppressive therapies, there is an inherent risk for frank immunosuppression and reduced host defence which when prolonged increases the risk of infection and cancer. In addition when mAbs interact with the immune system they can induce other adverse immune-mediated drug reactions such as infusion reactions, cytokine release syndrome, anaphylaxis, immune-complex-mediated pathology and autoimmunity. An overview of the nonclinical safety assessment and risk mitigation strategies utilized to characterize these immunomodulatory mAbs and Fc fusion proteins to support first-in human (FIH) studies and futher clinical development in inflammatory disease indications is provided. Specific emphasis is placed on the design of studies to qualify animal species for toxicology studies, early studies to investigate safety and define PK/PD relationships, FIH-enabling and chronic toxicology studies, immunotoxicity, developmental, reproductive and juvenile toxicity studies and studies to determine the potential for immunosuppression and reduced host defence against infection and cancer. Nonclinical strategies to facilitate clinical and market entry in the most efficient timeframe are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank R Brennan
- Preclinical Safety, New Medicines, UCB-Celltech, Slough, SL1 3WE, UK
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21
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van Meer PJK, Kooijman M, Brinks V, Gispen-de Wied CC, Silva-Lima B, Moors EHM, Schellekens H. Immunogenicity of mAbs in non-human primates during nonclinical safety assessment. MAbs 2013; 5:810-6. [PMID: 23924803 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.25234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunogenicity of biopharmaceuticals used in clinical practice remains an unsolved challenge in drug development. Non-human primates (NHPs) are often the only relevant animal model for the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), but the immune response of NHPs to therapeutic mAbs is not considered to be predictive of the response in humans because of species differences. In this study, we accessed the drug registration files of all mAbs registered in the European Union to establish the relative immunogenicity of mAbs in NHPs and humans. The incidence of formation of antidrug-antibodies in NHPs and patients was comparable in only 59% of the cases. In addition, the type of antidrug-antibody response was different in NHP and humans in 59% of the cases. Humanization did not necessarily reduce immunogenicity in humans. Immunogenicity interfered with the safety assessment during non-clinical drug development when clearing or neutralizing antibodies were formed. While important to interpret the study results, immunogenicity reduced the quality of NHP data in safety assessment. These findings confirm that the ability to compare relative immunogenicity of mAbs in NHPs and humans is low. Furthermore, immunogenicity limits the value of informative NHP studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J K van Meer
- Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Department of Pharmaceutics; Utrecht University; Utretcht, the Netherlands
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22
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Pellegatti M. Dogs and monkeys in preclinical drug development: the challenge of reducing and replacing. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2013; 9:1171-80. [PMID: 23705836 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2013.804061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Animal experimentation is a very contentious issue affecting reputation of drug industry. There are several reasons to forecast an increase in the number of dogs and monkeys used in safety and pharmacokinetic studies. This increase may trigger a strong reaction of the public opinion. There have been many proposals and initiatives to change the present approach to safety and metabolic studies. Tests based on new technologies, in vitro cell assays, stem cells, imaging, and computational systems, have the potential to anticipate effects in humans. Unfortunately, all these efforts and ideas have not changed standard approaches and regulatory expectations. AREAS COVERED This review looks at opportunities to reduce the number of dogs and monkeys currently used in pharmaceutical research. It also discusses present efforts and approaches, their strengths and potentials and the reasons why they may not fulfill expectations. EXPERT OPINION Unless the pharmaceutical industry gets more involved, an alternative paradigm of preclinical drug development is unlikely to be established in the foreseeable future. One can imagine a scenario where the political pressure against the use of dogs and monkeys in biomedical research becomes irresistible while alternative methods are not yet established. To avoid this situation, the pharmaceutical industry should take the lead and preclinical scientists at all levels need to influence decision makers and help develop new innovative approaches in drug safety evaluation.
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Perry R, Farris G, Bienvenu JG, Dean C, Foley G, Mahrt C, Short B. Society of Toxicologic Pathology position paper on best practices on recovery studies: the role of the anatomic pathologist. Toxicol Pathol 2013; 41:1159-69. [PMID: 23531793 DOI: 10.1177/0192623313481513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This article reviews the regulatory guidelines that provide for the inclusion of recovery groups in toxicology studies, presents the challenges in the design and interpretation of nonclinical recovery studies, and summarizes the best practices for the role of an anatomic pathologist regarding toxicology studies with recovery groups. Evaluating the potential recovery of histopathologic findings induced by a biopharmaceutical requires the active participation of one or more anatomic pathologists. Their expertise is critical in risk assessment regarding the potential for recovery as well as providing scientific guidance in the design and evaluation of studies with recovery groups.
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Abstract
Preclinical studies have always been a critical component in the development program of a biopharmaceutical. With the advent of biosimilars the traditional preclinical program has changed to a new paradigm that integrates the concept of comparability with existing knowledge of the biopharmaceutical reference drug. Recently, the recommended preclinical program espoused by the European Medicines Agency has been modified to an abbreviated one that now emphasizes in vitro studies in lieu of in vivo for monoclonal antibody biosimilars. Likewise, the US FDA guidance on biosimilars suggests a flexible approach rather than the 28day comparative toxicology studies that have historically been conducted for worldwide marketing. For now, structure and function studies will continue to be the foundation of the overall analytical assessment of biosimilarity. Traditional, comparative animal safety assessments will have limited value in determination of biosimilarity and in an abbreviated design they may have most value in providing assurance of safety in first-in-human trials when structural attributes are not indistinguishable. Unless this value can be proven, particularly as analytical technology improves in sensitivity, accuracy and precision, the need for these animal safety studies will diminish. Thus, the future lies in the ever evolving and sophisticated analytical studies that will replace the current in vivo studies for biosimilar products.
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25
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Boado RJ, Hui EKW, Lu JZ, Pardridge WM. IgG-enzyme fusion protein: pharmacokinetics and anti-drug antibody response in rhesus monkeys. Bioconjug Chem 2012; 24:97-104. [PMID: 23249376 DOI: 10.1021/bc3005123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The chronic administration of recombinant fusion proteins in preclinical animal models may generate an immune response and the formation of antidrug antibodies (ADA). Such ADAs could alter the plasma pharmacokinetics of the fusion protein, and mask any underlying toxicity of the recombinant fusion protein. In the present study, a model IgG-enzyme fusion protein was evaluated with chronic dosing of rhesus monkeys. The IgG domain of the fusion protein is a genetically engineered monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the human insulin receptor (HIR), which is shown to cross-react with the primate insulin receptor. The enzyme domain of the fusion protein is human iduronidase (IDUA), the lysosomal enzyme mutated in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPSI). MPSI affects the brain, but enzyme replacement therapy is not effective for the brain, because IDUA does not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The HIRMAb domain of the fusion protein acts as a molecular Trojan horse to deliver the IDUA across the BBB. The HIRMAb-IDUA fusion protein was administered to rhesus monkeys with weekly intravenous infusions of 3-30 mg/kg for 6 months, and the pharmacokinetics, immune response, and tissue toxicology were assessed. The pharmacokinetics of plasma clearance of the fusion protein was determined with measurements of plasma IDUA enzyme activity. ADAs formed during the course of the 6 months of treatment, as determined by a sandwich ELISA. However, the plasma clearance of the fusion protein at the start and end of the 6-month study was comparable at all drug doses. Fusion protein administration for 6 months showed no evidence of chronic tissue toxicity. These studies demonstrate that the immune response produced with chronic treatment of primates with an IgG-enzyme fusion protein has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of plasma clearance of the fusion protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben J Boado
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
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26
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Polson AG, Fuji RN. The successes and limitations of preclinical studies in predicting the pharmacodynamics and safety of cell-surface-targeted biological agents in patients. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 166:1600-2. [PMID: 22364106 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.01916.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
To improve drug development outcomes, it is important to review when preclinical pharmacodynamic and safety models have successfully predicted human responses and when they have not. In a recent issue of the BJP, Bugelski and Martin examined the concordance between preclinical and human data for biopharmaceuticals targeted to cell-surface proteins. The cases are interesting and several trends emerge. The pharmacodynamics of biopharmaceuticals in non-human primates is largely predictive; the use of surrogates in rodents may be similarly predictive, allowing for more conservative use of non-human primates. While overall concordance of preclinical toxicology data and clinical safety was poor, this is largely a reflection of the immunomodulatory biology of the majority of the biopharmaceuticals evaluated. The examples show that adverse effects in animals that were the result of direct and/or exaggerated pharmacology were modelled well, but that specific infections or other indirect outcomes of immunomodulation, along with cytokine-related events, were not modelled well in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Polson
- Genentech Research and Early Development, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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27
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Kooijman M, J.K. van Meer P, H.M. Moors E, Schellekens H. Thirty years of preclinical safety evaluation of biopharmaceuticals: did scientific progress lead to appropriate regulatory guidance? Expert Opin Drug Saf 2012; 11:797-801. [DOI: 10.1517/14740338.2012.712110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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28
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Luetjens CM, Weinbauer GF. Functional assessment of sexual maturity in male macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2012; 63:391-400. [PMID: 22579626 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2012.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2012] [Accepted: 05/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Selection of suitable criteria for assessing sexual maturity in the male long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) has yielded conflicting results. The present retrospective work investigates whether the sole presence of sperm in the baseline semen sample unequivocally (i.e. for every animal) hallmarks complete testicular maturation. For 956 animals providing the baseline semen sample, neither age, body weight nor testes volume unequivocally predicted the presence of sperm in that sample, and for 322 animals these parameters failed to predict testicular histology. In contrast, the presence of sperm in the baseline semen sample correlated with mature testis histology at study termination in every single animal (n=197/322). Surprisingly, for the 125/322 animals without sperm in the baseline semen sample, spermatogenesis was also mature in 95 animals. Thus, the mere provision of a semen sample without sperm--implying peripheral reproductive tract maturation--was associated with mature spermatogenesis in approx. 75% of animals. Interestingly, testicular maturation occurred approx. 2 years earlier in Mauritian compared to Asian mainland animals. In conclusion, a single semen sample that contains sperm provides unequivocal evidence for mature spermatogenesis and, thus, is suggested as a functional parameter for sexual maturity assessment in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Luetjens
- Covance Laboratories GmbH, 48163 Münster, Germany
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Buckley LA, Chapman K, Burns-Naas LA, Todd MD, Martin PL, Lansita JA. Considerations regarding nonhuman primate use in safety assessment of biopharmaceuticals. Int J Toxicol 2012; 30:583-90. [PMID: 22013138 DOI: 10.1177/1091581811415875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Selection of a pharmacologically responsive species can represent a major challenge in designing nonclinical safety assessment programs for many biopharmaceuticals (eg, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)). Frequently, the only relevant species for nonclinical testing of mAbs is the non-human primate (NHP). This situation, coupled with a rapidly increasing number of mAb drugs in development, has resulted in a significant increase in the number of NHPs used in nonclinical safety assessment. Apart from ethical considerations related to responsible animal use, there is a clear need for more efficient and innovative approaches to drug discovery and development; these factors drive the need to investigate alternative approaches and strategies for the safety assessment. This review summarizes important scientific and regulatory perspectives derived from presentations and audience discussions in an educational forum at the 2010 annual American College of Toxicology meeting regarding opportunities for employing alternative approaches to minimize NHP use in mAb drug development.
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Chapman KL, Andrews L, Bajramovic JJ, Baldrick P, Black LE, Bowman CJ, Buckley LA, Coney LA, Couch J, Maggie Dempster A, de Haan L, Jones K, Pullen N, de Boer AS, Sims J, Ian Ragan C. The design of chronic toxicology studies of monoclonal antibodies: implications for the reduction in use of non-human primates. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2011; 62:347-54. [PMID: 22100994 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2011.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The changing environment of monoclonal antibody (mAb) development is impacting on the cost of drug development and the use of experimental animals, particularly non-human primates (NHPs). The drive to reduce these costs is huge and involves rethinking and improving nonclinical studies to make them more efficient and more predictive of man. While NHP use might be unavoidable in many cases because of the exquisite specificity and consequent species selectivity of mAbs, our increasing knowledge base can be used to improve drug development and maximise the output of experimental data. Data on GLP regulatory toxicology studies for 58mAbs were obtained from 10 companies across a wide range of therapeutic indications. These data have been used to investigate current practice and identify study designs that minimise NHP use. Our analysis shows that there is variation in the number of animals used for similar studies. This information has been used to develop practical guidance and make recommendations on the use of science-based rationale to design studies using fewer animals taking into account the current regulatory guidance. There are eight recommendations intended to highlight areas for consideration. They include guidance on the main group size, the inclusion of recovery groups and the number of dose groups used in short and long term chronic toxicology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L Chapman
- National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BE, UK.
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